Since Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin reached the outer space in 1961, human space exploration has never stopped.

Starting from the first satellite launched in 1957, space race between the Soviet Union and United States in the 20th century brought about unprecedented scientific exploration. 

From then on, satellite launching, manned spaceflights and deep space exploration have constituted the main space activities, with astronauts traveling to the moon and probes exploring the solar system.

In recent years, countries around the globe are striving to go back to the moon and further into deep space. However, space exploration is expensive and technically difficult, and no country can do it alone, due to which new partnerships are being forged.

U.S.' NASA has extended its collaboration outside the country and has collaborated with Japanese and European suppliers for its Artemis missions.

Commercial space companies have also taken part in space exploration. Elon Musk's SpaceX is planning to launch its Starship Super Heavy rocket later this month. The rocket is envisioned to be a fully reusable transportation system to carry astronauts and cargo to Earth's orbit, the moon, Mars and beyond, according to the company.

Besides, China has been collaborating with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the European Space Agency on space science application projects, and related payloads will be launched to get into the China Space Station this year, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The country also aims to establish a basic model for a lunar research station base by 2028 and expand it into an international one.

Read more: Tech Talk: Space flights hot again, from tourist trips to moon landing